As we all know, Microsoft Excel is a versatile spreadsheet program that assists users in organizing, formatting, and calculating data. However, there are certain limitations to its formula capabilities, one of which is the annoying message “Microsoft Excel: Formula is too long.” This error generally appears when a formula exceeds the length limit. In this blog, I will explore the major causes and solutions to fix Excel formula too long error to maximize Excel’s functionality.
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What Causes Series Formula Too Long Excel Error?
MS Excel has a limit on the number of characters that a formula can contain. But when this limit is exceeded, it triggers various errors. Besides, there are some other reasons as well to cause this error:
- The formula exceeds the limit of 8,192 characters.
- Using complex formulas and functions.
- Due to a corrupted worksheet or workbook.
- Using array formulas.
- Extensive use of cell references.
How to Fix Excel Formula Too Long Error?
Way 1- Make Selection Of Excel Function Wisely
Look for such Excel functions that match well with your applied calculation. Otherwise, it will make your Excel formula too complex.
Suppose, you want to use the SUBTOTAL(), then first you need to understand what is it for.
Basically using this function you can do the filtered aggregations, such a type of task needs lots of terms. So make sure that you will use it for that type of task only.
The same rule is applied for other Excel functions as well.
Also Read: Microsoft Excel Unprotected Formula Error – Fix It Now!
Way 2- Split Excel Formula Into Partial Calculation
Split your Excel formulas into chunks of partial calculations. After that put these calculations into their own rows, cells, or columns.
This will really going to help you a lot to overview all your applied Excel formulas. Finding faults in smaller formulas or calculations is much easier than the long ones.
Review your worksheet data structure, because disorganized input data at the end raises problems like too long formulas error, Excel cannot find data, etc.
Way 3- Avoid Volatile Formulas
Excel functions like NOW, TODAY, INDIRECT, RAND, OFFSET, etc are known as Volatile formulas because it automatically starts recalculations every time you make a change in your workbook.
Suppose, if you have used the NOW function then every time you make any modification in your worksheet, the formula will be recalculated and its cell value would be updated.
All in all, this takes extra processing speed and at last, you will get the formula is too long to calculate like errors.
It will be better if you can avoid the usage of volatile formulas or minimize their uses.
Way 4- Avoid Array Formulas
Though an Array formula has several advantages, in terms of faster calculation, it’s a bit slower.
All this happens because the array formula takes lots of data or cell references to make a complete analysis and then only it can give you the best result.
The more complex calculations your worksheet needs to perform the more it counts the formula as a complex one.
If you have some other option left, apart from array formulas then choose that.
Way 5- Don’t Use Entire Row/Column For Reference (A:A)
Usually, Excel users use the complete column/rows reference in their formulas. Well, it’s a bad idea to stop doing so..!
You must be doing this because you think that column/rows have only a few cells in which data is contained but the Excel application never thinks like this.
When any row or column is referenced, Excel checks the entire rows of your worksheet despite of checking only the cells having the data. This will apparently increase the calculation time and your application starts rendering long formula in Excel-like issues.
Way 6- Use Faster Formulas Techniques
Excel offers its user so many formulas and formulas combo to make complex calculations in an easier way.
But before using all such things it’s better to identify and use the fastest one.
These are some examples of it:
- Instead of using the IF and ISERROR formula combo simply use the IFERROR. Excel users using the version 2003 or earlier can’t use this IFERROR formula.
- in place of using IF(A1>0, A1,0) it’s better to use the MAX(A1,0). As from the “aka Bill Jelen” research, it is found that MAX function is approx 40% faster than the IF function.
- Just use the INDEX/MATCH combo in place of VLOOKUP. The fact is VLOOKUP can’t perform faster if you have 100 data columns. Nowadays even most of Excel professionals also recommended using INDEX/MATCH instead of VLOOKUP.
- Use the double negative sign for converting up the TRUE’s and FALSE to 1’s and 0’s. Now you don’t need to multiply by 1 or add 0. You can check out the speed improvement while working with the large data set.
Way 7- Don’t Cross Excel Formula Size
It’s important to have knowledge about the maximum length of formula acceptable in Excel. If you don’t follow these size charts then it’s obvious to get the Excel Formula is a too long error.
So check this out, and follow it on your worksheet formula:
Largest accepted positive number: 9.99999999999999E+307
Largest accepted negative number: -9.99999999999999E+307
Largest accepted positive number via formula: 1.7976931348623158e+308
Largest accepted negative number via formula: -1.7976931348623158e+308
Length of the formula contents: 8,192 characters
Internal maximum formula length acceptable: 16,384 bytes
Iterations: 32,767
Worksheet arrays: depends on the available memory
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Also Read: Fixes For Excel Formulas Not Working Errors
Related FAQs:
What To Do If Excel Formula Is Too Long?
By following the solutions outlined in this blog such as avoiding array formula, splitting the formula, and fixing the working can help you to get rid of this error.
How Do I Make a Formula Longer Than 255 Characters in Excel?
To make a formula longer than 255 characters, you can use the Excel’s CONCATENATE function.
How Do I Shorten the Formula Bar in Excel?
By using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + U, you can reduce the formula bar in no time.
Time to Verdict
Whether you’re a business proficient or a novice, applying the fixes discussed above in this blog, one can easily fix the formula is too long Excel error and access the spreadsheet content. For further queries and doubts, contact us via our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Priyanka Sahu
Priyanka is a content marketing expert. She writes tech blogs and has expertise in MS Office, Excel, and other tech subjects. Her distinctive art of presenting tech information in the easy-to-understand language is very impressive. When not writing, she loves unplanned travels.